Unique Haydock Foundry 0-6-0WT Bellerophon has been revealed as the second visiting locomotive to the Severn Valley Railway’s ‘Spring Steam Gala’ on March 16-18 next year.

Destined to make its debut on the Severn Valley Railway next year, unique Haydock Foundry0-6-0WT Bellerophon is pictured at the Middleton Railway in 2016. MARK PEARCE/SR

The Foxfield Railway-based locomotive will be making its debut on the SVR at the three-day event, courtesy of the Vintage Carriage Trust.

Bellerophon joins visiting ‘B12’ No. 8572 at the gala, with the LNER 4-6-0 making its first appearance on the SVR for 20 years, having last graced the line in 1998. It is expected that the North Norfolk Railway-based locomotive will be paired with the SVR’s Gresley teak set during the gala.

The event will also mark the first gala appearance of BR Standard ‘4MT’ No. 75069, which is now in the final stages of its ten-yearly overhaul at the railway’s Bridgnorth works, and is expected to re-enter traffic later this year.

It is understood that there will be a total of four visiting steam locomotives at the 2018 ‘Spring Steam Gala’ and although the identities of these engines have yet to be confirmed, the SVR confirmed they will be announced in the coming weeks.

One SVR resident that won’t be at the gala next year is rebuilt ‘Battle of Britain’ No. 34053 Sir Keith Park, which will be taking up permanent residence at the Swanage Railway from January next year after its current five-year agreement with the Severn Valley Railway expires at the end of 2017 (see SR471).